Chapter 2

After hanging up, Andrew immediately made an excuse about work and got ready to leave.

Before he left, he made sure to remind Charlotte.

Andrew said, "Charlotte, this fertility charm is really effective. I had to kneel for ages to get it for you. Make sure you wear it at all times, okay? Don't lose it."

The bitter taste of the herbal medicine still lingered in Charlotte's mouth. She had been drinking herbal birth control for three years. Looking at this fertility charm, she felt just so ironic.

That night, Charlotte tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Just as she finally managed to drift off, she was jolted awake by a heated argument early in the morning.

Still half-asleep, she wandered out to the balcony and saw Mrs. Foster from next door, clutching her baby and crying her heart out.

Mrs. Foster sobbed, "I just gave birth, and I'm still supposed to be resting! Are you even human? How could you go out and mess around at a time like this?

"Did you ever care about me? When you were doing those things, did it ever cross your mind that your son is barely three months old?"

Before Charlotte could react, a pair of hands suddenly covered her ears.

She turned around and saw Andrew, who gently took her hand and led her back into the bedroom.

The window slammed shut with a bang, and Andrew looked at her with concern.

Charlotte looked at Andrew, the man who'd been out all night, and couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Foster next door cheated on his wife. Why is it so hard for men to stay faithful?"

Andrew gave her a gentle smile and wrapped her in his arms.

He said, "Charlotte, don't lump me in with other men. I'd never do that to you.

"If you really have a baby, I'd love and dote on our child with all my heart. I'd treasure you both forever."

Seeing Charlotte feeling down, Andrew grinned, took her hand, and said, "Your birthday's coming up in two days, and I want my Charlotte to be all smiles.

"So let's make the most of today. Let's go check out the fall colors and then head out camping."

Before Charlotte could respond, the butler knocked softly and came in, whispering something in Andrew's ear.

Soon, footsteps approached outside the door.

Andrew's tone grew urgent as he insisted to the butler, "I'm taking Charlotte out for the day. Whatever it is, it can wait until tomorrow. I'm not seeing anyone today."

Charlotte was puzzled and was about to ask who it was when the maid led someone into the room.

Before she could even get a good look at the person, Andrew moved protectively in front of her, blocking her view.

Andrew sounded a bit panicked, looking awkward as he said, "Charlotte, I'm really sorry, but I've got something urgent to handle. Just hang tight here for me, okay?

"I'll be back soon, and then we'll head out camping together."

It was clear Andrew was blocking her from seeing who'd come in. Charlotte grew suspicious, but kept her cool and subtly shifted her feet until she finally got a look at the visitor's face.

Turns out, it was Nina, the same woman Charlotte had spotted outside the villa that day.

Nina had perfect makeup on, and when her eyes met Charlotte's, she didn't bother to hide the provocation flashing in her gaze.

Charlotte tamped down her anger and asked deliberately, "Andrew, who is this?"

Andrew quickly explained, "This is Nina, our new business partner. There's a problem with the new project, and she rushed over to find me. I need to head to the office."

Nina stood silently to the side, but with a calculated tug at her coat, she made sure Charlotte saw the ripped black stockings underneath.

Charlotte masked her feelings, clenching her fists as she replied in a slightly hoarse voice, "If it's something important, then go ahead. We can always go camping another time."

Andrew visibly relaxed, gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, and then left with Nina.

Charlotte never thought Andrew, who once loved her so deeply, would stoop so low as to get involved with another woman, let alone have his mistress come knocking at their door.

Back then, no matter how busy work got, Andrew always put her first. But now, for that woman, he didn't even blink before leaving her home alone.

Charlotte's mind was in turmoil. After hesitating for a while, she slipped into a plain car and quietly followed after them.

Andrew took Nina and headed out toward the outskirts of town.

Halfway there, the car suddenly pulled over. Nina jumped out and started retching nonstop, but couldn't throw up a thing.

Andrew got out of the car too, his face dark with anger as he demanded, "What made you think you could just show up at my house? Didn't I warn you not to let Charlotte find out?"

Nina kept gagging for a while before finally giving Andrew a wounded look.

She said, "I didn't do it on purpose. I just wanted to surprise you by coming to see you."

Suddenly, Nina grabbed Andrew's hand and placed it on her stomach.

Charlotte, hiding nearby, felt her heart drop. She heard Nina's sweet voice ring out, clear as day.

Nina said, "Andrew, I'm pregnant. You're going to be a father."